Reading accredited as Voter Registration Champions

The University of Reading and Reading Students’ Union have been accredited as Voter Registration Champions by Citizens UK, recognising efforts to get students engaged in local politics.

The University's social media and student communications channels have been used in recent weeks to encourage students to check if they are registered to vote and that they have the correct voter ID - which is now required to vote.

The University has also partnered with Reading Students' Union and volunteers from the community to hold registration events on campus, talking to students directly between classes and helping them to register to vote there and then.

The Office for Students monitors how well Reading and other universities put in place ways to help students to get registered to vote, and the work supports the University's strategic priority to be engaged in the local area.

The accreditation comes as the University is encouraging students to go to the polls at the elections on 2 May.

All seats in Wokingham Borough Council are up for election, along with 16 seats in Reading Borough Council. Reading voters will also join Wokingham residents in choosing the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police.

Council and mayoral elections are happening in other council areas across the country. Advice on voting for students has been published on the University's Student Life Blog.